Started radiation today. How do I care for skin?

Hi Mary6886, there's an entire forum for radiaiton https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70 with lots of pinned posts about how to prepare and what to expect. Your radiation center should also have given you some info? Mine wasn't picky about brands - just said to moisturize with any unscented lotion which had water as first ingredient. Use it lots, no soaking in water, no hot tubs, no rubbing. Gentle shower and pat dry. I just finished a set of daily rads for 3 weeks in January & I'm back in again right now for 5 more to the bone. Is your radiation to the bone or breast area?

Also come join us on the bone met threads if you like https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topics/...

You'll probably find more involvement in the skin with the breast - when I had whole breast rads in 2018 I just got dry & itchy. The moisturizing really helped. While at home I had a couple shirts I sacrificed to the grease of the moisturizer (cause I figured there's no way the stains would ever come out) & just kept lathering the lotion on. But I was in full time school when still finishing rads and managed that and wearing a sports bra so really, it was quite tolerable for me. Some people experience skin breakdown but many of us don't so I hope the best for you!

hello Mary6886, I have Inflamatory breast cancer - triple negative. I currently finished 33 treatments of radiation on 3/12/21. my first 29 treatments were 50.4 gray using a metal ( tiny circle links something from the 80’s) They used the bolus every other treatment = then the last 4 I had a boost to 60 gray with no bolts.

Like with any advise, I would check with your RO first, because they can be particular with what they want you to use during treatment.

Cream my MO recommended was Miaderm (without the L) I needed to apply 4x a day. I only had daily radiation treatment and noticed my breast getting redder during the 4 week... so I started applying the cream 6x a day, one being at night when I had to pee from drinking all that H2O. I did start to notice some skin break down under my breast, looked like tiny pink jelly fish, which is skin protein break down. My RO gave me a free sample of SILVADENE BLISS, it came in a small container, ( to use for healing) I was told to keep it sterile, to use a Q-tip to apply and never double dip, but you could use both side of the Q-Tip. It did help and clear things up under my breast, when RO said it improved RO said to discontinue usage. MY RO also gave me free sample of AQUAFPHOR ( they receive it free from the drug companies) . Initially it was for my nipple but after 60 Gray radiation, my RO said to apply miaderm wait two minutes then reapply the Aquafour. Aquafour is thick and greasy but it did work. I use it at night and in the AM. MY skin is still red but the redness is improving and some of the skin is lightly peeling.

I know for radiation there is window when you should not use cream prior to radiation —- , you can use Miaderm up to 1 hour before and 1 hour after treatment. Aquaphor is a 4 hour window before and after treatment.

Also I was told to shower gently lett No the water flow over my back to the front of my breast, no rubbing, and to wash using unscented Dove soap daily. Lightly pat dry with a soft towel, lol Sometimes I used cottonelle for the final blot...so it would not stick to my skin before applying miaderm. The RO nurse also gave me some free square gauze pads to use.

I am not sure where you are being treated - my RO use to stock Miaderm in the hospital gift shop for his patient to purchase. It was cheaper than buying it on line.

EBBA

Hi Mary,

I am currently receiving RADS for left IBC. Had chemo, Left mastectomy and now RADS 30 treatments. one a day M-F for 6 weeks. Only found out about Bolus used with each for the entire left chest RADS ( 25 Treatments) . I just completed 24 and have been struggling with finding the products that provide relief from the discomfort and itching. I am very red with some skin tears. Silvadene cream is the last product prescribed- does ease burning for a short time, a bit messy, Did nothing for the itching. Currently using Aloe and Hydrogel with lidocaine which provides better relief. Also continuing to apply Aquaphor at bedtime to keep skin hydrated. No skin sloughing yet, but good to know it may happen. My RO is not so forthcoming with what to expect each week. Thankfully only 1 left with bolus, then 5 boost to incision site and home free! wishing you the best!

UPDATE: hi everyone. I completed RADS 10 days ago. At that time the chest was very red with open wound above incision where marker bandage was removed , extending down and inward toward incision. I tried multiple products recommended ( hydrogel with lidocaine, honey - based ointment, aloe gel, & Silvedene ointment) without improvement. Did notice it was better after using Aquaphor only one night. The wound & burned areas are quickly healing with only Aquaphor ! Big relief! Had some sloughing skin, but has resolved also. Bleeding wounds now closed & pain mostly gone. I also used Benadryl for itching- worked well. hope all ends well with minimal problems for eve